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Red card drama as Australia pip New Zealand in quarter-final thriller
Playing in front of their home fans at HBF Park, Australia emerged victorious after a thrilling Perth SVNS quarter-final against rivals New Zealand that included plenty of red card drama.
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Following their first loss of the 2023/24 season on Friday, hometown favourites Australia defeated Canada on Saturday morning to book their place in the knockout rounds against New Zealand.
Speedster Faith Nathan opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and another try to Madison Ashby saw the Australian women’s side race out to a rapid 12-nil lead.
But the first term was marred by drama – and there was a lot of it.
Who else but Charlotte Caslick? 👌
The maestro delivers once again! 🇦🇺#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @Aussie7s | @CharlieCaslick https://t.co/8jv3b2F2ro pic.twitter.com/H2NtHnkCNJ
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 27, 2024
New Zealand’s teenage sensation Jorja Miller was sent from the field for a high shot, and Australian Maddison Levi followed soon after for a separate incident near the sideline. For Levi, it’s the second time she’s been sent off in as many games.
Levi walked off the field and was visibly upset. It proved to be a turning point, too, with a quick Michaela Blyde double handing the visitors a slender two-point lead.
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But Australia reminded the rugby world why they were worthy champions in Dubai and Cape Town, and why they’re favourites to win on home soil as well.
Captain Charlotte Caslick and replacement Dominique Du Toit crossed for a try each as a six-women Australia ran out to an unassailable 10-point advantage.
“I’ve never experienced a game like that and I think that’s the beauty of sport, the unpredictability of it, and then the ability for teams to react and show some character,” coach Tim Walsh told reporters.
“But evidence would suggest that we’ve got an issue and we need to sort it out.”
Australia were in control for a fair period of that first-half, but the game’s momentum swung New Zealand’s way almost immediately after the break.
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Blyde scored her first, and then another shortly after – but the home crowd questioned the decision as the replay was shown on the big screen.
The SVNS Series veteran threw her arms in the air to avoid a knock-on but it was still close call. While he hadn’t seen a replay yet, Walsh suggested Australia “don’t get the rub of the green at home.”
“Jorja (Miller) got red-carded early and then we got that 12-nil,” Walsh said.
“That knock-on when Blyde scored, I haven’t watched it properly yet but I hope that wasn’t a knock-on because I don’t know how they missed that if that was the case.
“We don’t seem to get the rub of the green at home but again, that’s sport as well… whatever’s thrown at us we have to adapt.”
Australia will play the United States of America for a spot in the Perth SVNS final at 12:46 pm local time on Sunday afternoon.
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments